How Spencer Hawes, Thad Young and Evan Turner helped the Sixers to 2-0

(AP)

WASHINGTON – Throughout preseason, Brett Brown and Sam
Hinkie and the rest of the 76ers’ brass had impressed upon fans, radio-show
hosts, reporters and just about anyone who was willing to listen that their
team would be dictated by what “the veterans” did.

The trio of 25-year-olds, the Sixers’ equivalent of
oldheads, would have to be leaned upon if the team was to accomplish anything
in what was expected to be a bumpy, 82-game ride.

Two games (and two wins in) … uhh, not so bumpy. So what
gives? Well, the Sixers have gotten superb efforts from Spencer Hawes, Evan
Turner and Thaddeus Young. Wednesday night was no different, as all three
scored in double figures, with Hawes and Young turning in double-doubles in a
come-from-behind win over the Wizards.

Here’s the statistical breakdown of the Sixers’ three
veterans through two games:

In totaling up these numbers, which are ridiculous averages that would establish personal single-season records for all three, should they maintain them, I came across one disconcerting stat that you can’t ignore:

Hawes, Turner and Young have
played a combined for 200 minutes of a possible 288 minutes played through two
games. That’s a lot of wear and tear on the three guys the Sixers need to
perform nightly. It’ll be interesting to see how Brown uses his rotation
Saturday night in the first back-to-back of the season, with Chicago in town.